Photo of End Credits Title The Xavierite
Spoilers ahead!
As it was released on Feb. 13, 2024, “Captain America: Brave New World” proved to the world that the new era of the MCU can perfectly tie back to its very own origins.
The second the film began, there were reminders of 2008’s “Incredible Hulk.” Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) was both pictured and mentioned by name, and her father Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross’s (Harrison Ford) wartime past was mentioned.
There were even newsreels from the Harlem battle between the Hulk and the Abomination. Although those two didn’t appear in the movie, the story of “Brave New World” kept the characters true to themselves.
When he was introduced in the MCU over ten years ago, Sam Wilson (portrayed by Anthony Mackie) was a trauma counselor for wartime veterans. Although at this point he may be saving lives as Captain America, he still tries to comfort those around him using his knowledge of social work.
On the other hand, Thaddeus had a fiery spirit throughout his appearances in the MCU. Although until now he was portrayed by William Hurt (d. 2022), he always bantered with the heroes. He spent countless days and resources hunting Bruce Banner, because Banner’s gamma-infested body was “property of the US military.”
He even attempted to get along with the heroes by passing the Sokovia Accords, which were eventually repealed. During this time, though, Sam Wilson was one of those who rebelled against them. Since that very moment, the two had hated each other.
“Brave New World” misled fans, including myself, into believing that Thaddeus’s casting change also gave him a change of heart. However, it did not. He tried to hold himself together but eventually gave into being the warmonger that he was.
Looking back at “the Incredible Hulk,” Bruce Banner does his best to not turn into the hulk unless provoked. Thaddeus tries to do the same, but is provoked due to the anger he has building up because of his world collapsing in on itself. Once again, he goes full-on warmonger mode, but as the Red Hulk.
Ironically, it was another character from “The Incredible Hulk” that tempted Thaddeus: Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson). Although Thaddeus re-appeared in the MCU after 2008, Sterns hasn’t shown his face since. The last time we saw him, his head had started growing due to Bruce Banner’s blood dripping in through a wound.
We learned that after all this time, Sterns was kept in a prison lab by Thaddeus. What’s worse is that the amount of gamma-infected blood in his head increased over the years, increasing his intellect.
Something I never thought I’d say after seeing the movie is that I feel bad for Thaddeus. He made plenty of mistakes, but he did not deserve to be publicly humiliated and even turned into a monster.
I truly enjoyed the anxiousness felt throughout the film. My favorite fight sequence was when Captain America and Falcon tried to bring down the mind-controlled jets. In all seriousness, if those jets weren’t stopped, then Japan would have gone to war with the United States.
As for my review of this film, I absolutely loved it. It was very different, but reminded me of Cold-War era films that described the world on the brink of a precipice. Additionally, it proved that Bruce Banner and even the Abomination weren’t needed for a hulk sequel.
With that being said, it didn’t feel like a Captain America movie. It felt like Thaddeus Ross was the main character. He experiences more problems throughout the movie, but at the end the biggest problem he faces is solved: His daughter, Betty, returns to his life.
Over the years of skirmish between himself and the MCU’s heroes, I’m sure it moved him away from her. It actually made me tear up a little in theatres seeing their reunion. Although Betty only appeared onscreen at the end, it was a perfect way for her character to be involved.
Overall, I believe that this film isn’t necessarily a story of Captain America overcoming a problem. It’s a sequel to “The Incredible Hulk” that fans will more than likely remember more than the original film.